The Best Pianos for Beginners: A Guide with Recommendations

The piano is one of the most famous instruments. It's given rise to countless musical classics as well as modern pop favourites and is an extremely popular instrument to learn among beginners.

Beginners looking to buy a piano are often overwhelmed by the array of options that vary greatly in terms of price, size, capabilities, and type. This guide will break down some of the most frequently asked questions and recommend 5 best pianos for beginners.

Remember that all of the pianos recommended in this guide are more than capable candidates for a beginner’s first piano, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Buying a piano is considered a great investment for yourself or a household and will offer you many years of happy memories of playing it at home. But with so many brands and models to choose from, it can be confusing to know where to begin. Here, we offer some useful tips and a general overview of features to keep in mind so you can make an informed decision:

- A recognised brand

- The sound and the keys

- The touch sensitivity

- Warranty and maintenance

What type of piano should you be looking for?

There are two types of piano: acoustic and digital. Acoustic pianos produce sound with strings that are struck by a hammer. Digital pianos, on the other hand, take high-quality samplings of the sound created by acoustic pianos and play them back through speakers as the key is pressed. Generally, acoustic pianos are viewed to produce the best sounds. Digital pianos have gotten incredibly good at recreating the sound and experience of a real acoustic piano, making them the perfect option for beginners. By extension, keyboards are a type of digital piano that focuses less on replicating the acoustic feel but more on portability and a wider range of sounds. For a beginner, choosing between an acoustic piano, a digital piano, or a keyboard depends on your personal preferences. But we strongly advise you to also consult with your piano teacher to get the best idea.

Which piano brands are best?

Whether it’s an affordable or expensive brand, we should always look at the brand’s origin and understand how they make their pianos. A great piano brand’s reputation is built on years of dedication to craftsmanship, and it should be evidenced by the reliability and performance that the recognised brands offer. Among the top-tier brands that possess these qualities are YAMAHA, Steinway & Sons, Carl Sauter, Petrof, and Schimmel. Apart from brand reputation, customers also need to consider factors such as after-sales service, delivery, door-to-door installation and tuning services when purchasing a piano.

Choose any of the reputable names, such as YAMAHA, Steinway & Sons, Carl Sauter, Petrof, and Schimmel, and focus on features suited to your needs.

The 5 best pianos for beginners:

Best Seller -Yamaha U1 Upright Piano

Designed for musicians of all levels, the popular Yamaha U1 upright Pianos are made in Japan and feature outstanding tone, touch and durability. A perennial favourite among discerning pianists, U1 upright pianos offer outstanding musical performance, setting the standards by which many other upright pianos are measured.

Yamaha CSP-255 Clavinova Digital Piano

Playing your favourite songs can never get easier and more fun with The Yamaha CSP-255 Clavinova. It comes with Stream Lights and the Smart Pianist app, which help beginners by showing which keys to play next. The app makes learning the piano enjoyable with your smart device. This piano feels and sounds like a grand piano, offering a rich and authentic musical experience. The best part is that we are currently offering a discount on this digital piano, making it a more affordable option for beginner pianists.

PETROF Upright Piano - Model N118 M1

If you want a European piano sound, look no further than the popular compact Petrof N 118 M1. Its size means you can place it in the smallest interior, where its romantic tone will sing out beautifully. You can spend many pleasant hours with your family with this instrument and perfect your keyboard playing. Its design makes it blend superbly with modern furnishings.

Yamaha Arius YDP-S55 Digital Piano

With an 88-key piano action, the GH3 (Graded Hammer 3) keyboard reproduces the touch of an acoustic piano. The model features a piano voice sampled from Yamaha’s flagship CFX concert grand piano, a renowned piano that delivers sparkling highs and a powerful resonant bass combined in a superbly expressive sound.

Compact Model - Yamaha P-125 Digital Piano /Keyboard

The Yamaha P-125 is a compact digital piano that combines incredible performance with a user-friendly minimalistic design. Easily portable and extremely accessible, this instrument allows you to experience the joy of playing the piano on your own terms.

Get your new piano today from Tom Lee

Buy a brand new piano on Tom Lee today and start your piano practice right away. We are offering special discounts online on some of these recommended choices, allowing you to make the most of your purchase. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the best pianos, digital pianos, or keyboards for beginners, please contact us today.